Authors note: I struggled with this chapter but it is necessary to show Hermione's thoughts which are shown btw with the speech marks. Happy reading & thank you ever so much if you have reviewed, favourited, alerted or just read this far!J

Within an hour of Hermione telling her friends the solemn news it had spread around school. Harry, Ginny and most of the other Gryffindors and the hufflepuffs felt sorry for her however Ron, Lavender the ravenclaws and slytherins seamed to think she was some kind of death eater slut, and she could seldom walk around the school without one or another cursing or teasing her. Oddly enough Luna was the only one happy for her.

To be fair though many people thought that Luna marriage was worse than Hermione's, as she had been matched with Snape (although it is arguable who got the worse end of that deal). But then again (and this did make Hermione feel better) Lavender had Hagrid and that by far was one wedding that anyone wanted to miss.

Hermione desperately wanted to talk to her "fiancé" to beg him to intervene with this madness, convince him that it was stupid for this betrayal of justice to continue; but a larger (more sensible) part of her was certain this would end in her death. Feeling more alone than ever, despite being surrounded and supported by her friends she decided to go to the place where she could put her worrying thoughts to rest: The Library. It was during her third consecutive hour alone in the library, for the first time in her life the books refused to console her. Instead they taunted her every fiction book she picked up seemed to have his name sneaked in there.

"why must his name be so bloody common!" she exclaimed, causing several Ravenclaws to look up and give her a stern glance.

"Fine" she snapped at no one in particular "I will write to him" she snatched her stuff and stormed of to the owlry to try and write the letter.

When she arrived there she dropped her stuff loudly on the floor with such a clatter that most of the owls flew away with fright. Setting herself down at the small (owl dropping covered) table she pulled out a spare bit of parchment and a quill. Dipping it in the ink she began to write in her effortlessly elegant hand:

To… "Hang on". She thought. "How should I address him? Tom, Mr Riddle, The Dark Lord, Voldemort, You-know-who or He-who-must-not-be-named?"

"Well not the last nor the third" she mused "Unless I really want to throw myself on the fire. I do feel though I should use his real name but then again Voldemort would probably be safer"

While she was thinking she had left her quill on the page, leaving a rather ugly black spot on her page. Pulling out a new piece she began again, although this time she remembered blotting paper.

Dear Voldermort

I am sure you have been informed of our recent "engagement".

"Yes that makes a fine start, but it is so hard not to just say: I hate you and rather cut my wrists than succumb to you. But I cant write that I simply must, well just write to him like I would my parents carefully and without profanity"

Although this agreement is in nether of our best interests, I have nitpicked for loopholes in this ludicrous law, however one has availed me. I don't doubt however that you to have checked for one and I wish you the best of luck in finding one, as I have not yet been successful.

"Yes that'd work fine, oh how I would dearly love to say: you're a fascist and a pig and I know you hate my kind but I will still not succumb to your sick twisted will. Ron would be proud of me if I did, but then again Ron isn't talking is he… "

I know my blood "NO! don't write that. Life first insults later. Harry was always the right one for this kind of thing, but he wouldn't want to write to my "fiancé". come on Hermione focus now."

I wish to assure you that my political views have not changes. I will not use this arrangement to gather information, act against you or effect you work in anyway. Although I wish to make it clear however that although I will not use this arrangement against you I will continue to work for my original cause. I hope you respect my decision and decide to do the same.

"okay as long winded as this letter is becoming at least I will be as "safe" as I can be. Now I simply must write a final part about the wedding"

I trust you got a letter containing the date of our marriage. I do ask of you (if I may be so bold) to look for a loophole in this ridiculous law.

Miss

"There done" Exclaimed Hermione Loudly. As she attached it to a tiny brown owl, who was desperately trying to fly away from the loud, bushy haired girl.

"That hard?" a voice came from behind her making her jump causing her to release the bird. She turned around an let out a huge sigh of relief when she realised she was in no harm.

"Oh Harry! Thank god it is just you"

"It has got you on the edge hasn't is? Look so long as you don't give into him you will be fine. I trust you Hermione you wont let any of us down, least of all yourself." the wind was wuthering around the tower drowning his voice out, forcing him to shout at her. His voice was soft but to Hermione it reeked of betrayal, her own betrayal.

Although she knew Harry was trying to make her feel better she could not help herself from getting annoyed. "Fine. Fine! How will it be fine! I am going to have to marry the most evil man in history. And I no oculmancy, no skills to merit his at any rate. I don't even have a bloody tazer!" she released all her anger, upset distress and worry outwards (leaving the remaining few poor owls shell-shocked) and clung on to Harry sobbing seek the comfort and warmth of her closest friend.

"sh, sh, sh. Don't worry Hermione we are here for you, you know we will OW!" he exclaimed as he felt a sharp nipping at his back and turned around to see a magnificent black eagle clutching a letter for Hermione. He tool the letter from the menacing Bird and handed it to Hermione who wiped her tears and began to read out loud:

"Dear Miss Granger

I am aware of our situation and I agree that it would be best for you if you keep to your suggestions. I am yet to find a loophole as you put it , however if I so then I will not be accompanying you on said date. I would also like to add that other than your family (and them only for legal reasons)no else may attend our wedding. I warn you not to contact me again without dire reason as (and your simple mind may not be able to conceive this) I am extremely busy.

Yours

Lord Voldemort.

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